Observations of the high vibrational levels of N2(B 3Πg) in the Lewis–Rayleigh afterglow of nitrogen

Optical studies of the first positive system in the nitrogen afterglow were conducted in a conventional discharge -flow system. The vibrational level of v′=13 was observed readily at pressures up to 20 torr. For the first time, high-vibration levels of N2(B 3Πg) with v′≳13 were observed in the Lewis–Rayleigh afterglow under conditions of sufficiently high [N] and purity of N2. Bands from ΔV=4, 5, and 6 with v′ up to 26 have been identified. Based on the observed effects of pressure, temperature, atom concentration, and gas purity on the intensity of the emission bands, excitation processes responsible for the formation of these high-vibration levels are briefly discussed.